by Stacy-Deanne
“He claims he didn’t do it.” Kevin sat down. “He says maybe it was the cleaning crew and he’ll check it out.”
She puffed smoke. “Right.”
“He could have a point.” Kevin propped his arm on the back of the sofa. “Maybe he didn’t do it.”
“Hold up.” She gawked at him. “I know you’re not defending Grant again.”
“I’m just saying he could be telling the truth.”
“Bullshit. Why would someone from the cleaning crew videotape us making love? That doesn’t make a bit of sense.” She laid the end of the cigarette in her mouth then snatched it back out. “Also, how would someone from the cleaning crew get my cell number?”
“You’re a detective.” He straightened his blazer on his lap. “Don’t you give out your cell phone to almost anyone?”
“Kevin.” She put her hand in his face. “I agreed to trust you with this Grant thing, but I can’t do that if you keep backpedaling every five minutes. She put the cigarette in the ashtray and snuggled in his arms. “You know as well as I do that Grant is doing this stuff.”
“It doesn’t make it easy to accept.” He kissed her forehead. “I love my job and I’m grateful for what Grant’s done for me, but it’s getting harder to be around him.”
She rose up. “I need you to stick close to Grant and act like your feelings haven’t changed.”
“He’s not stupid. He knows I’m starting to doubt him. He even said you were turning me against him.”
“You have to make him think I’m not.” She kissed him. “Anyway, Grant’s not as slick as he thinks he is. He doesn’t want you to go even if he knows you doubt him. He wants you around so he can find out what I’m doing.”
He rubbed the back of his head. “I feel like a rubber band with the way you’re both pulling me in these directions.”
“I’m sorry.” She kissed his chin. “But you know what the best part is about me feeling guilty?”
He stroked her hair. “What?”
“I get to make it up to you.” She unbuttoned his shirt.
* * * *
“Oh. Ah!” Alexis clamped her legs around Kevin’s waist as they climaxed seconds between each other.
“Ooh.” Sweat dripped from Kevin’s forehead and onto her already-damp breasts. “Mmm.” He relaxed on top of her in her bed.
“Kevin,” she whispered into his ear.
“Hmm?” He panted.
“There’s something…” She huffed and puffed. “Something I want to tell you.”
He leaned up on shaky hands. “Please don’t tell me this is about Grant.”
She bit her lip and turned her head.
“Jesus.” He remained on top of her. “What is it?”
“The police might be involved in what happened to my father.” She stroked his chest. “We already know they protect him, but how far does that go?”
“I can’t believe we just made love and this is what we’re talking about…again?”
She put her arms around his waist. “I think Grant had a cop cut my dad’s brake lines.”
“What are you basing this on?” He scoffed. “Base? A junkie, slash police informant, slash someone who set up Leo Pacheco.”
“I trust Base.”
“Wow.” He gaped. “I had to jump through hoops for you to trust me even after we started having sex, yet you easily trust some junkie?”
“Base came here tonight because he hates what he did for Grant.” She put her arms around his neck. “The fact that he regrets what he’s done says a lot.”
“Did you think maybe he has his own motives? He knew that you knew he set up Leo, so maybe he’s looking after his own ass. Maybe he wants you to think he’s on your side so he won’t get in trouble.”
“No.” She propped her leg up against him. “Base is genuine, and even if he’s not I have no choice. He’s the only person who can even come close to linking Grant to what happened.” She caressed his cheek. “I need Base whether I like it or not.”
* * * *
“Lock me up!” A man yelled in the police station the next day. “I don’t give a shit!”
Alexis and Penelope jumped up from their cubicles.
“That son of a bitch is gonna pay!” Khalil Williams struggled as two uniformed officers dragged him past Alexis and Penelope. “Ain’t this typical? Arrest the black man even when he didn’t do nothing wrong!”
“What the hell?” Penelope and Alexis bolted from their cubicles and caught up with the officers down the hall.
“Hey!” Alexis stopped them. “What’s going on?”
“A white man can do anything to a black woman and get away with it!” Khalil tussled. “That’s what’s going on!”
“Khalil, please,” Penelope said. “What’s the meaning of this?” She looked at the officer who held him.
“He assaulted Danny Xavier at his place just now,” the officer said.
“He deserved it!” Khalil spit. “He did something to my sister! I know he did.”
Alexis pulled Khalil from the officers. “He’s connected to our murder case,” she told the officers. “We need to speak to him immediately.”
The officers looked at each other and let Khalil go.
“Can you take the cuffs off him please?” Alexis asked.
The first officer hesitated then took the cuffs off him. “We’ll need him back.”
Alexis nodded. “And you’ll get him back.”
She and Penelope led Khalil to the interrogation room down the hall.
Alexis went in and turned on the light. “Please come in, Khalil.”
“Why?” He poked his lips. “You guys don’t give a shit what happened to Nadine. You think she killed that white girl.”
“We want to know the truth no matter what it is.” Alexis pointed inside. “We want to hear what happened with you and Danny X.”
Khalil mumbled and sat at the table.
Penelope closed the door. “What happened?”
“I kicked his ass, that’s what happened.” Khalil rubbed his bruised knuckles. “I know he had something to do with Nadine’s disappearance.”
“Why?” Alexis asked.
“I think she’s dead and he killed her.”
“Whoa.” Penelope sat across from him. “You can’t go accusing people of murder without just cause, Khalil. What makes you think Nadine is dead in the first place?”
“I just got a feeling.” He breathed hard. “Nadine ain’t the type to go all this time and not come around. She and momma are extremely close and she ain’t even called her since Sunday.”
He propped up his elbows. “Danny X did something to my sister, and I think he killed that other girl. He’s into all kinds of shit and he introduced my sister to all those shady ass people.”
“Like who?” Penelope asked.
“Hell, I don’t know names but she wasn’t living this kind of lifestyle until she started hanging around Danny. She’s in his fight club.”
“We know,” Alexis said. “You should’ve told us about that when we first spoke to you.”
“I didn’t know she’d end up missing and I didn’t wanna get her in trouble with Danny by talking too much.” He took a deep breath. “You don’t fuck with those people Danny’s involved with. They got a lot of money riding on that club.” He laid his fist to his mouth. “Since you guys already know about the club, why the hell hasn’t he been arrested?”
“We don’t have any proof of Danny having a fight club,” Alexis said. “All we have is what folks have said, but if we know where this club is, we can investigate. Do you know?”
“How the fuck would I know?” He laid his hands on the table. “Shit, it’s your job to go out there and find the answers. Can you guys get Danny on Alicia’s murder?”
“We have to know he did something first,” Alexis said. “All we have is hearsay, and to be honest Danny doesn’t look like the only person who would want Alicia murdered.”
“This is straight up bullshi
t!” Khalil jumped up. “What the hell do citizens pay your asses for? You know damn well Danny did this shit. Either you go get his ass or I will, and this time he won’t come out alive.”
“Okay.” Alexis pointed her finger. “Let me give you a tip. It’s not smart to threaten a man’s life in front of the police. I suggest you sit down and think before you speak next time, okay?”
“Think before I speak?” He shook his head. “Have you talked to Danny yet at least?”
“We’ve tried,” Alexis said. “But every time we find out where he might be he isn’t there.”
“And he conveniently disappears whenever we show up at his house,” Penelope said.
“Well, he’s at home right now.” Khalil pointed to the door. “I suggest you get your asses over there before he takes off again.”
Chapter Twelve
“Let me get this straight.” Danny X showed Alexis and Penelope to the pool behind his two-story home. “I’m the one who gets attacked and you’re accusing me of murder?” He held an icepack on his swollen jaw.
“We’re not accusing you.” Alexis took off her shades. “But it sure is funny how you’ve been dodging the police.”
“I haven’t been dodging anyone. I’ve been busy and I didn’t know you guys were looking for me.”
“Oh come on, Danny.” Penelope grinned. “You and I are old friends. I know how you operate.”
“Do you?” He massaged his jaw.
“Are we supposed to believe that you didn’t know we’d been looking for you when we’ve spoken to several people who know you knew Alicia?” Alexis hooked her shades on her blouse.
“Just because I know someone means I killed her?” He groaned as he sat on the lawn chair. “If you know me so well, Penelope, you should know I’m not a killer.”
“How do I know that?” She rocked with her hand on her holster.
“Danny.” Alexis sat in the chair beside him. “We know a lot about your extracurricular activities. You know something.”
He took the icepack off his jaw.
“Unless you want to be pinned for Alicia’s murder and if you really didn’t do it…you’ll cut the shit right now,” Alexis said.
“Okay. I knew Alicia through Angel Page.”
“Who’s that?” Penelope squinted from the sun.
“He’s a trainer,” Danny said. “Alicia was one of the boxers he works with.”
Penelope glanced at Alexis. “What do you have to do with this trainer?”
“Nothing.” He laid the icepack on his face. “We’re not friends or anything. We got a common associate, that’s all.”
Penelope chuckled. “Now Danny, you’re not connected to any underground fight clubs or anything like that?”
“Me?” He grinned. “What would I know about a fight club?”
Alexis looked at Penelope who shook her head.
“You guys need to talk to Angel, not me. He and Alicia were having problems. Alicia didn’t wanna work with him anymore and he didn’t like that.” Danny looked at Alexis. “Angel’s not the kind of guy you walk away from.”
“Funny, that’s what folks say about you,” Alexis said.
“I’ve told you what I know.” He stood. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna take some ibuprofen and lie down.” He headed inside.
“Hold on.” Alexis stood and slipped on her shades. “Where can we find Angel Page?”
“I don’t know.” He rubbed his jaw. “Alicia was friends with a fighter named Mercy Cokes.” He rubbed his jaw. “Angel’s her trainer, too, so she can tell you where to find him.”
* * * *
Alexis and Penelope walked down the long halls of the recreation center and ended up in a spacious room with a boxing ring. Three men stood by the ring chatting about a new all-in-one computer. They dropped their conversation and stared at the detectives.
“Well, well, well.” The bald black man strolled up to Alexis and Penelope. “What can I do for you two lovely ladies?” He flashed a golden smile. “Looking for a fighter? I might be the man for the job.”
“Cool it, Barry.” A short Hispanic man with slicked-back hair and a jumpsuit joined them. “Excuse him. He loses his mind when it comes to beautiful women.”
“That I do.” Barry rubbed up against Penelope. “I love Asian women. What are you, Chinese?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m Vietnamese, you asshole.”
Alexis and the Hispanic man chuckled.
“Sorry, darling.” Barry backed away with his hands up. “But we can’t automatically tell the difference.” He licked his lips. “You speak Vietnamese?”
“Yes.” Penelope glared at him.
He bent down to her. “Say something in Vietnamese for me, darling.”
“Get the fuck out of my face.” She smiled. “Is that Vietnamese enough for you?”
Alexis covered her grin.
“Ooh, excuse me.” Barry whistled. “I like my women with a little fire.”
“You’ll get it in spades if you don’t leave me alone,” Penelope said.
“Hey, can’t blame a man for trying.” Barry backed out of the room. “Catch you later, sweet thing.” He checked out Alexis’s backside as he left.
“He’s an interesting character,” Alexis said.
“Excuse him.” The Hispanic man crossed his arms. “Can I do something for you ladies?”
“We’re looking for Angel Page,” Alexis said. “The woman at the front desk said he was back here.”
“It’s your lucky day,” he said. “I’m Angel Page.” He took their hands and kissed them. “What can I do for you?”
“We’re with the Tate Valley Police.” Alexis took out her badge. “I’m Detective Alexis Adams and this is Detective Penelope Dao.”
Penelope nodded.
“Wow.” He looked them over. “You’re the best looking cops I’ve seen in a long time.”
“May we speak to you for a little bit?” Penelope asked.
“Sure.” He turned around and snapped his fingers at the other man. “Give us a minute, okay?”
The man grabbed his Coke can and left.
Angel focused on the women. “What’s this about?”
“Alicia Bellows,” Alexis said. “Is it true that you’re her trainer?”
He cleared his throat. “Who told you that?”
“Doesn’t matter who told us,” Penelope said. “Is it true?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know nothing about her murder. I hadn’t seen her since the day before her death.”
“Where were you Monday evening between five and six?” Alexis took her notepad out.
“I was here working with a fighter.”
Alexis held her pencil to the pad. “Mind giving us a name?”
“Holly.”
Alexis wrote it down. “Her last name?”
“I don’t know her last name.” He fidgeted with his arms behind his back. “We just started working together. I’m thinking about taking her on, but nothing’s official yet.”
“Do you have her number?” Penelope asked. “Know where she stays?”
“All I know is she works at some pizza place.” He looked back and forth at them. “I don’t know her well at all.”
Alexis studied his peculiar expression. “Can anyone besides Holly verify that you were here during the time of Alicia’s murder?”
“We were alone.” He shrugged. “No one would’ve seen us.”
“I see,” Penelope said. “Do you do more than train your fighters?”
“Are you trying to ask if I have sex with them?” He held his head to the side. “No. I take my job very seriously. I care about the fighters I work with. I want them to get the best out of working with me. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“Do you train men too?” Penelope asked.
“No.” He cleared his throat. “I prefer working with female fighters.”
“I just bet you do.” Penelope smirked.
Angel shook his head at the
comment.
Alexis waved her pencil. “You know Nadine Williams?”
He nodded. “She’s one of the fighters I train.”
“Are you aware that she disappeared around the time Alicia was murdered?” Alexis asked.
“Yes, but I don’t know anything about that either.”
“We heard that Alicia wanted to split from you,” Penelope said.
“Who told you that?” He chuckled. “No, we got along good. Everything was fine.”
“Any idea why someone would say she wanted to get away from you then?” Alexis squinted. “I’m sure you wouldn’t be happy about that, right?”
“Alicia and I were fine. We got along great and she loved working with me. If someone told you this then maybe they’re trying to throw you guys off, because Alicia and I didn’t have any problems.”
“We know you train Mercy too,” Penelope said. “You’re yet another common denominator between Nadine and Alicia.”
“Am I under arrest or something?” He pointed to himself. “Do you think I killed Alicia?”
“We didn’t say that.” Alexis tapped the notepad. “We’re just asking questions.”
“I didn’t do anything to Nadine or Alicia.” Angel’s smile disappeared. “Are we done?”
Chapter Thirteen
“That was an interesting meeting, wasn’t it?” Penelope and Alexis exited the recreation center. “What do you think of Angel?”
Alexis stretched. “I think he’s hiding something.”
They made it to Alexis’s car.
“Unfortunately almost everyone we’ve spoken to seems to be hiding something.” Alexis unlocked the car with her clicker and they got in.
“Wanna get something to eat on the way back?” Penelope checked her watch. “We can stop by that burger place down the street.”
“Damn, a fat, juicy piece of cow flesh sounds good.” Alexis put the key in the ignition but didn’t start the car.
Penelope grinned. “Lexi.”
“I’m serious.” She put on her seatbelt. “I’m so hungry I could eat a cow out of the field.”
Penelope laughed.
